Remote control apparatus for radio circuits



E. J; MANZ 1,896,550

Feb. 7, 1933.

REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RADIO CIRCUITS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 17, 1930 I T/UCm/ Feb. 7, 1933. E. J. MANZ 1,896,550

REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RADIO CIRCUITS Filed April 17, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 7, 1933.

E. 1. MANZ REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RADIO CIRCUITS Filed April 17, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR.

w m mw TOIRNEK (JEN/Ll. :79 U-L E. J. MANZ 1,896,550

REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RADIO CIRCUITS Feb. 7, 1933.

Filed April 17, 1950 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 83 V INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES EDWIN JULIUS MANZ, OF YORK, Y.

REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RADIO CIRCUITS Application filed April 17, 1930. Serial No. 445,000.

The present invention relates to control apparatus for radio receivingsets and more particularly to a remote control device for a radio receiving set. 'i Heretofore manyproposals have been made regarding devices for controlling radio sets from a remotepoint. The proposals and suggested devices have been objectionable for one reason or another. One of the prior de- 0 vices was known'as a selector and automatic tuner for radio-circuits. Although this device went into use to a certain extent, it was found that it was too costly, cumbersome and prone to get out of order. The chief disadvantage of the device was the complicated mechanism including pawls and ratchets'and the like needed in its construction. This structure proved to be unsatisfactory and unsuccessful for one reason or another. Attempts have been made to provide the art with a wholly practical and reliable remote control device, but as far as I am a-ware, none has proven satisfactory.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which is capable of operating a radio set from a remote or distant control, without the use of complicated mechanisms and driving motors.

It is another object of the invention to provide a remote control device for radio reeeiving sets which is economical to manufacture, easy to operate, and due to its simplicity less likely to develop trouble.

v A further object of the invention is the provision of a remote control device for radio receiving sets which is of an electrical type and which is capable of being housed with many of the standard radio sets or which can be mounted adjacent thereto while the controlling instrument is placed on a tableor the like, or fastened to a wall at a distant point, or may be held in the hand of an operator if desired.

45 Other objects and advantages of the present inventlon will become apparent fromthe following description taken into conjunction with the accompanying drawings. in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic viewof a home r radio receiving set equipped with an embodiment of myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, somewhat diagrammatic in nature, of the control instrumpnt of my remote control device for radio se s;

Fig. 3 illustrates an elevation view of an 1;.- embodiment of my tuning relay used in conunction with'my remote control system;

F 4 depicts a side view of Fig. 3

Flg. 5 represents an electricdiagram of my remote control system;

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an electric circuit for manually controlling the radio recelvlng set to be used with my system when a manual control is desired;

Fig. 7 is an electric diagram of a circuit for switching the audio frequency amplifier of the radio set to a phonograph with an electrical pick-up; and

Fig. 8 is an electric diagram of a modified embodiment of my invention. Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 the numeral 1 designates multiple receptacles or outlets of well known standard form. These receptacles maybe as numerous as desired and located on different floors or positions in a house or building. Conductors 2 connect said outlets 1 together and to the radio recelving set 3. This set may be placed in any convenient location such as a closet, a spare room, an attic or the like. By the use of my remote control it becomes possible to locate the receiving set in a place which is hidden from view. The radio set is provided with all of the well known auxiliaries including a connection 4 which extends to the antenna (not shown). As the auxiliaries are well known to those skilled in the art they will not be described or illustrated herein.

Fitting receptacles 1 is a multipole plug 5 which connects the receiving set 3 to my improved remote control device 7 by means of conductor 6. The remote control device is preferably of a portable type and is provided with a station selector 8 and a volume control 9. This device is a small compact object which can be made in any desirable size and appearance but I prefer to use a device having the size of an ornamental cigarette box. As'this device is small and compact it may be placed on a table (a) which is located in a room near one of the outlet receptacles. The operator of the set merely needs to turn the switch arm 10 (shown in dotted lines) of the station selector 8 in order to change the station of the radio receiving set. It will be noted that the station selector 8 has a plurality of stations which are herein shown as 6 in number. Of course, any number of stations can be employed. The volume control 9 operates in one of several well known ways and therefore need not be described herein.

The station selector and the volume control as embodied in my remote control device is illustrated by an electrical diagram in Fig. 5. Arm 10 may be switched into contact with any of the six stations. Let us suppose that the arm is brought into position with station 1. When it is brought to this position electrical relay 11 is energized so as to actuate armatures 12, 13, 14, and 15 which throw condensers 15, 16, 17 and 18 respectively into electrical connection with lines 19, 20, 21 and 22 which lead to four circuits of standard character which are incorporated in the radio receiving set. WVhen the electrical relay 11 actuates the aforesaid armatures and throws the aforesaid condensers into electrical connection with the four circuits of the receiving set, station 1 is tuned in and the broadcasting from such station will be heard in the room in which the loud speaker is located. In the event that it is desired to listen to station 2 arm 10 can be moved into position with station 2 on the remote control device 7 When this is done electrical relay 23 will be energized. IVith the energizing of relay 23 armatures 24, 25, 26 and 27 will be actuated so as to throw condensers 28, 29, 30 and 31, respectively, into electrical connection with lines 19, 20, 21 and 22 which lead to the radio receiving set as aforesaid. When this adjustment is made condensers 28, 29, 30 and 31 tune the radio receiving set to station 2. In this manner it is possible to obtain any station by merely turning on 10 of the remote control device to the desired station. By making this adjustment the relays are operated electrically and they in turn connect the proper sets of condensers with the radio receiving set so as to tune in the selected station. Although I have illustrated only two stations it is obvious the apparatus can be constructed to accommodate as manv stations as may be desired. d

When arm 10 is set at any station a circuit will be established from the 6 volt batterv 32 through winding of relay 33 to remote con trol device 7, and through one of the tuning relays 11, 23, etc. I

The current flowing through relay 33 actuates armatures 35 and 36 so as to connect the A. C. and D. C. power supply to the radio receiving set. In this manner not only is a relay for the tuning condensers energized but the radio receiving set is energized as well.

In some cases it is desired to connect the radio receiving set with an electric phonograph pick-up. This may be done by turning arm 10 to contact point 7 which will connect relay 37 to the battery 32 and will thus energize the relay. Armatures 38 and 39 are actuated by the energized relay 37 so as to connect a volume control 40 and the pickup with the circuit. This volume control may be located at the phonograph for convenient operation. The electricity generated by the pick-up will be carried to the radio receiving set and will be amplified there and emerge as sound from the loud speaker. Although I have illustrated the phonograph circuit it is not necessary to in corporate it in my new system.

In the event that a manual control is to be incorporated in the system, a circuit to permit this is illustrated in Fig. 6. By turning on switch 41 located at the manual control point relay 42 is energized and the energized relay in turn actuates armatures 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47. These armatures are thrown into connection with lines 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52. Lines 48, 49, 50 and 51 lead to the manually operated condensers whereas line 52 leads to the volume control 53 located at the manual control point. Relay 33 operates as usual to supply A. C. and D. C. to the radio set. Jack M is for the purpose of operating a loud speaker adjacent to the manual control. \Vhen a plug is in this jack the loud speaker leads to remote control locations will be discontinued.

It will thus be seen that my system can be actuated either by my remote control device or by the usual manually operated devices.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my electrical relay system and tuning condensers used in connection with the remote control device. The relays 11 and 23 are mounted upon a panel 100 which may be constituted of any appropriate insulating material such as bakelite. or the like. Extending cross wise of panel 100 are a plurality of metal angle-strips or bars 101. These strips correspond to the number of tuned circuits in the radio set. In this case they are shown as four in number. Relay 11 has operatively associated therewith armature 102 which is carried upon a rod 103 of bakelite, or the like. The rod has four prongs 104 projecting from the rear thereof. When relay 11 is energized armature 102 is attracted thereto. IVhen armature 102 moves upwardly to the energized relay electrical spring switches 105, 106, 107 and 108 are moved upwardly against their corresponding contacts 109, 110, 111 and 112. This may be clearly seen from the lower left hand corner of the drawings wherein the spring 108 is shown in dotted lines in its raised position. When the spring switches make electrical contact with the pin contacts, the strips 113, 11 1, 115, 116 are connected to their respective circuits. Strips 113, 114, 115 and 116 form condensers with the metal angle strips 101. The strips also act as electrostatic shields between the tuned circuits. The capacity of the condensers may be varied by means of screws 117.

Then electrical relay 23 is thrown in circuit armature 120 carrying rod 121 is moved upwardly in contact with the energized relay. Rod 121 carries four pins 122. These pins like pins 104 actuate spring switches 1-23, 124, 125 and 126 which contact with pin contacts 127, 128, 129 and 130. In a similar way the spring switches connect the pin contacts with strips 131, 132, 133 and 134. These strips have adjusting screws 135 by means of which the capacity of the condensers may be adjusted.

The panel 100 carrying the electrical relays and tuning condensers may be mounted in any convenient position. The panel which embodies my preferred construction s small and compact enough to be located in the cabinet of the radio receiving set in many cases. If my system is incorporated as a part of the original set, of course, the relays and tuning condensers and the like may be mounted on the chassis of the radio receiving set.

The electrical circuit shown in Fig. 8 is a modification of the one shown in Fig. 5. The latter circuit is one wherein only one loud speaker is used whereas the former is one wherein a plurality of loud speakers and a plurality of control devices are used. I

The feature of the circuit illustrated 1n Fig. 8 is the assurance against interruption of service or reception of the radio program by the loud speaker which is functioning. In other words the purpose of my modified circuit is to prevent the interruption of the radio program of the station in use by another station Which is subsequently switched in.

The diagrammatic circuit as depicted in Fig. 8 is suflicient, when taken into consideration with the description of Fig. 5, for one skilled in the art to understand it. The following condensed description, however, supplements the above and makesat easier to comprehend the modified embodiment of my invention.

Assume station selector arm 10 of control device R is moved to station 1 as shown in dotted lines, the following circuit will be established. Starting from point C of battery 32, the circuit goes through the winding of relay 33, lines 70, 71, through the winding of relay A, line 72 to contact 73 of relay B, line 7 1 to selector arm 10 and station 1 of control device B, through line 75 and the winding of the tuning relay 11 and through lines 7 6 and 77 to point D of battery 32. hen this circuit is established relays 33, 11 and A are energized and actuated. The functions of'relays 33 and'll have been explained hereinabove whereas relay A functions to separate contacts 78 and 79 from lines 80 and 81 respectively and thus disconnects the loud speaker Y from the radio set. In addition contacts 82 and 83 are separated from lines 84: and. 85 respectively and thus disconnect Volume control 9 and station selector arm 10 of control device R.

From the foregoing it will be observed that even though control device R is actuated, it can in no way interrupt or interfere with the radio program which is being received by means of loud speaker X and control device B.

Conversely if the station selector arm 10 of control device R is actuated the following circuit will: be established. Starting from point C of battery 32 the circuit goes through the winding of relay 33 and line 70 to and through the winding of relay B, line 86, to contact 83 of relay A, line 85 to selector arm 10 and station 1 (vis dotted line) of control device B, through lines 87 and 75 to and through the winding of relay 11, and through lines 76 and 77 to point D of battery 32. hen this circuit is established relays 33, 11, andB are energized and actuated. The functions-of relays 33, and 11 have been explained, hereinabove whereas relay B functions to separate contacts 88 and 89 from lines 90 and 91 respectively and thus disconnects the loud speaker X from the radio set. In addition contacts 73 and 92 of relay B are separated from lines 7 1 and 93 respectively and thus disconnect volume control 9 and station selector arm 10, of control device R. From the foregoing it will be observed that even though control device R is actuated it can in no way interrupt or interfere with the radio program which is being received by means of loud speaker Y and control device R.

Ifthe set is tuned at the manual control point for the purpose of listening at a remote control point the loud speaker plug is removedfrom jack M. If it is desired to have only one loud speaker at a remote point operating. the switch arm 10 in the remote control box (R, R) adjacent to the one loud speaker 1 which should be operating should be turned to any point (1.2. etc.). Its associated cutoff relay A or B will then operate, as for remote control, to disconnect the other loud speaker.

It will be observed that my invention provides a radio receiving circuit and an associated loud speaker with a remote control apparatus, comprising a set of tuning elements for bringing the said radio receiving circuits into resonance with radio signals of a desired station, a tuning relay operatively connected with each of said tuning elements for simultaneously closing the tuning circuits operatively connected therewith, a plurality of remote control outlets, connector means for connecting said remote control outlets with said tuning relays and said radio receiving circuit, selector means detachablv connected to one of said outlets capable of selecting a desired radio sending station and causing the energization and actuation of the tuning relay associated with the tuning element for the selected station whereby the tuning circuits are closed and the radio receiving circuit is tuned into resonance with the signals of the selected station.

It will also be observed that my invention provides a method of tuning a radio receiving circuit into resonance with signals of a selected radio sending station, which comprises switching said circuit in from a remote point and electrically actuating the tuning means for tuning said circuit with a selected sending station.

It will be further observed that my invention provides a remote control device for a radio receiving circuit and adapted to control said circuit from aremote point and to select radio broadcasting stations which comprises a base, a plurality of contacts corresponding to a plurality of radio sending stations, a selector arm adjust-ably associated with each of said contacts and means for connecting said arm and said contacts with said circuit.

hile the above description is of a direct current system it is to be understood that the device can be constructed to operate equally well on alternating current. In a similar way, it is to be noted that although I have described specific structures and currents for carrying my invention into practice, modifications and variations may be made and equivalent structures and currents are to be considered within the purview of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. In the broadcasting art the combination with a modern radio receiving circuit capable of intercepting entertainment programs broadcast on frequencies from about 500 to about 1500 kilocycles from a plurality of radio sending stations, of a plurality of sets of tuning elements including a plurality of associated adjustable condensers for bringing the circuit into resonance with a signal received from a selected sending station, said condensers mounted on a base adjacent to and in alignment with each other, one plate of each of said condensers arranged to support the other plate of the condenser and wide enough to shield the conden. er and associated parts thereof from an adjacent condenser and associated parts, electro-niagnetic means for connecting each of said sets of tuning elements to said radio circuit, an armature associated with each electro-magnetic means and arranged to operate all of the condensers of a set of tuning elements simultaneously, a plurality of connector means located at a plurality of remote points and connected with said electromagnetic means and selector means associated with said connector means for selecting the desired radio-sending station and causing the energizing of the electro-magnetic means associated with the tuning element for the selected station whereby the said electro-magnetic means is energized and actuated and the radio receiving circuit is tuned into resonance with the signals of the selected station.

2. In the broadcasting art the combination with a modern radio receiving circuit capable of intercepting entertainment programs broadcast on frequencies from about 500 to about 1500 kilocycles from a plurality of radio sending stations, of a plurality of sets of tuning elements mounted adjacent to each other upon an integral panel and including plurali v of associated adjustable condensers for bringing the circuit into resonance with. a signal received from a selected sending station, said condensers mounted on a base adjacent to and in alignment with each other, one plate of each of said condensers arranged to support the other plate of the condenser and wide enough to shield the condenser and associated parts thereof from an adjacent condenser and associated parts, electro-magnetic means for connecting each of said sets of tuning elements to said radio circuit, an armature associated with each electro-magnetic means and arranged to operate all of the condensers of a set of tuning elements simultaneously, a plurality of con-' nector means located at a plurality of remote points and connected with said electro magnetic means and selector means associated with said connector means for selecting the desired radio-sending station and causing the energizing of the electro-magnetic means associated with the tuning element for the selected station whereby the said electromagnetic means is energized and actuated and the radio receiving circuit is tuned into resonance with the signals of the selected station.

3. In the broadcasting art the combination with a modern radio receiving circuit capable of intercepting entertainment programs broadcast on frequencies from about 500 to about 1500 kilccycles from a plurality of radio sending stations, of a plurality of sets of tuning elements mounted adjacent to each other upon an insulating panel, each set of tuning elements comprising a plurality of condensers mounted in a row next to each other, each condenser consisting of a wide metal plate secured to and projecting from said panel and supporting the other plate of said condenser, said first plate being wide enough to shield said condenser and its associated parts from adjacent condensers and associated parts, a spring switch connected with each condenser, electro-magnetic means for connecting each of said sets of tuning elements to said radio circuit, an armature associated with each electro-magnetic means and arranged to operate all of the condensers of a set of tuning elements simultaneously, a plurality of connector nreans located at a plurality of remote points and connected with said electro-magnetic means and selector means associated with said connector means for selecting the desired radio-sending station and causing the energizing of the electro-magnetic means associated with the tuning element for the selected station whereby the said electro-magnetic means is energized and actuated and the radio receiving circuit is tuned into resonance with the signals of the selected station.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 in which a plate of each condenser is fixed at one end and provided with means located at the other end to adjust the distance between the plates whereby the capacity of the condenser can be varied.

5. In the broadcasting art the combination with a modern radio receiving circuit capable of intercepting entertainment programs broadcast on frequencies from about 500 to about 1500 kilocycles from a plurality of radio sending stations, of a plurality of sets of tuning elements including a plurality of associated adjustable condensers for bringing the circuit into resonance with a signal received from a selected sending station, said condensers mounted on a base adjacent to and in alignment with each other, one plate of each of said condensers arranged to support the other plate of the condenser and wide enough to shield I the condenser and associated parts thereof from an adjacent condenser and associated parts, electro-magnetic means for connecting each of said sets of tuning elements to said radio circuit, an armature associated with each electro-magnetic means and arranged to operate all of the condensers of a set of tuning elements simultaneously, a plurality of connector means located at a plurality of remote points and connected with said electromagnetic means and selector means associated with said connector means for selecting the desired radio-sending station and causing the energizing of the electro-magnetic means associated with the tuning element for the selected station whereby the said electro-magnetic means is energized and actuated and the radio receiving circuit is tuned into resonance with the signals ofthe selected station, and means for disconnecting electrically all of the selector means except the first one to be operated.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

EDWIN JULIUS MANZ. 

